US3795114A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and installation for the connection of a cable or flexible pipe to an underwater guide column
Assignee: Engins Matra SA
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Filing: 1973-01-11
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1993-01-11
Abstract
Abstract This invention concerns a submerged installation for the connection of a guide cable or flexible hydraulic pipe to an underwater well-head guide column, from a floating structure. The invention comprises a process and equipment for laying the cable or flexible pipe, stored in a drum inside a module with a guide cone, which is lowered near the guide column and propelled into its final position by propulsion gear controlled from the floating structure on the basis of locating signals transmitted by detectors on the module.
Inventors
- 👤 Cremiers B De
- 👤 G Chateau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:43
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An installation to connect a guide cable or similar appliance, such as an electric cable or flexible hydraulic pipe, to an underwater well-head or similar guide column, from A floating structure such as a ship, by means of a module, the lower part of which consists of an inverted funnel, with the end of the guide cable held in the narrow end of it, and which is also fitted with devices such as sonar equipment to detect the guide column, and means of propelling the module horizontally through the water, characterized by the fact that the module, which is negatively buoyant, comprises a structure suspended by the upper end from a cable carried on the floating structure, and containing means of housing the guide cable or pipe, which ends in a connector designed to be held elastically in the narrow part of the funnel, on the same axis as the module suspension cable, which incorporates the cables or pipes needed to link the detectors and means of horizontal propulsion with the floating structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
An installation to connect a guide cable or similar appliance, such as an electric cable or flexible hydraulic pipe, to an underwater well-head or similar guide column, from A floating structure such as a ship, by means of a module, the lower part of which consists of an inverted funnel, with the end of the guide cable held in the narrow end of it, and which is also fitted with devices such as sonar equipment to detect the guide column, and means of propelling the module horizontally through the water, characterized by the fact that the module, which is negatively buoyant, comprises a structure suspended by the upper end from a cable carried on the floating structure, and containing means of housing the guide cable or pipe, which ends in a connector designed to be held elastically in the narrow part of the funnel, on the same axis as the module suspension cable, which incorporates the cables or pipes needed to link the detectors and means of horizontal propulsion with the floating structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, in which the sides of the funnel contain large apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, in which the detectors are fitted to the end of a retractable arm formed of two hinged sections, the first projecting horizontally from the module, and the second projecting vertically downwards from the end of this first section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, in which the module is propelled horizontally by means of separate and individually controlled propellers for linear and pivotal movements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An installation as defined in claim 4, in which the linear propellers are fitted to the module approximately level with the point of connection between the module and its suspension cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An installation as defined in claim 4, in which the pivotal propellers are fitted to the arm carrying the detectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, in which the connector is held elastically in the module by radial sprung rods which push against a neck in the connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, in which the lower end of the connector has a projecting rim, which is held by radial bevelled stops fitted with springs, at the upper end of the guide column.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An installation as defined in claim 8, in which a bevelled tube can be lowered over the connector, with a bevelled lower rim which pushes the bevelled edges of the stops apart, releasing the connector from the guide column.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, in which the cable or pipe for connection is stored on a drum mounted on a shaft and fitted with a braking system, remote-controlled from the floating structure by means of lines or pipes incorporated in the suspension cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, in which the suspension cable is connected to the module by means of a slide, the position of which is adjustable in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis of the drum shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, comprising means of detecting and transmitting data to a computer concerning the relative position of the guide column in relation to the module, and means of controlling the linear and pivotal propellers on the basis of the data processed by the computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process for connecting a guide cable or similar appliance, such as an electric cable or flexible hydraulic pipe, to an underwater well-head or similar guide column, from a floating structure such as a ship, by means of a module carrying the cable or pipe for connection, which is lowered near the seabed, guided to the guide column by means of detectors and propulsion gear on the module, and dropped on to the guide column, characterized by the fact that the whole guide cable is inside the module, preferably stored on a revolving drum, the module containing the cable is positioned vertically over the guide column, dropped on to it, and then raised to the floating structure, while the cable unwinds as it leaves the module, where the other end of the cable remains attached.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process for connecting a guide cable or similar appliance, such as an electric cable or flexible hydraulic pipe, to an underwater well-head or similar guide column, from a floating structure such as a ship, by means of a module carrying the cable or pipe for connection, which is lowered near the seabed, guided to the guide column by means of detectors and propulsion gear on the module, and dropped on to the guide column, characterized by the fact that the whole guide cable is inside the module, preferably stored on a revolving drum, the module containing the cable is positioned vertically over the guide column, dropped on to it, and then raised to the floating structure, while the cable unwinds as it leaves the module, where the other end of the cable remains attached.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
A process as defined in claim 13, in which the module is positioned vertically over the underwater guide column by means of detectors Which instantaneously measure the relative positions of module and guide column and transmit their data in the form of electrical signals, to a computer on board the floating structure, which processes the data and works out the orders to be sent to the horizontal propulsion gear on the module, and by means of this horizontal propulsion gear.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
A process as defined in claim 13, in which the module is lowered near the seabed by means of a suspension cable, the position of an inverted funnel in relation to the guide column is measured by detectors and data concerning this transmitted to the computer on the floating structure, the pivotal propellers are then started up to orientate and keep the sonar-equipment/funnel-centre axis pointing in the direction of the guide column, until the distance between module and guide column is considered suitable, upon which the computer, on the basis of the data received, transmits automatic guiding orders to the pivotal and linear propellers, and when the funnel on the module is vertically above the guide column the computer orders the abrupt release of the suspension cable, so that the funnel fits over the guide column.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |